EFFICIENCY: Data coming in for the first few years of Chicago’s energy efficiency benchmarking program shows large buildings making progress in reducing energy use, but also challenges in how the data is disclosed. (Midwest Energy News)

ADVOCACY: The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel outlines its legislative priorities for the year, which include moving utilities closer to full market pricing for electricity and preventing opportunities for subsidies and excessive profits. (Midwest Energy News)

***SPONSORED LINK: Stay current on the newest developments in the energy economy by attending the Advancing Renewables in the Midwest Conference this coming April 24th & 25th in Columbia, MO. For registration and details: www.AdvancingRenewables.org.***

UTILITIES: Xcel Energy continues to play a major role behind the scenes at the Minnesota Capitol. (City Pages)

OIL AND GAS:
• The Trump administration is rolling back rules that require companies that drill for oil and natural gas on federal lands to disclose chemicals used for fracking. (Associated Press)• Local officials in Springfield, Illinois want to know how the city’s municipal utility would be impacted by the construction of a new $1 billion natural gas plant nearby. (State Journal-Register)

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RESEARCH: Analysts in Minnesota are joining others across the country to create standardized data from utilities to help counties and cities understand energy use for climate programs. (Midwest Energy News)

TRADE:
• In a high profile trade case, the Trump administration will impose a 30 percent tariff on imported solar photovoltaic modules and cells. The tariffs will decline by 5 percent each year until 2022.